Not everything you hear about dental implants is true. There are quite a few misconceptions going around that can make the procedure more frightening than it is or can cause people to think they aren’t good candidates for the treatment. You shouldn’t deny your smile the advantages of dental implants because of a few misunderstandings! In this post, you will learn the truth behind 4 common dental implant myths.
Myth 1: Only Older Patients Can Get Dental Implants
While it’s true that dental implants are often marketed towards older adults, that’s largely because tooth loss is more common later in life. The main thing needed to place dental implants is a healthy, fully developed jawbone, which you’ll usually have by your early 20s. As such, if you end up losing a tooth relatively early into adulthood, there’s a good chance that dental implants are a viable option for you provided that your jawbone is in good shape and that you’re in good health overall.
Myth 2: Having Dental Implants Placed Will Be Painful
A lot of people hear the words “implant surgery” and assume that it involves a lot of discomfort. However, it probably won’t be as painful as you think, as the teeth and gums will be thoroughly numbed with a local anesthetic. You might feel some pressure during the surgery, but you’ll experience little (if any) pain. You can, of course, expect mild discomfort after the procedure, and your dentist will give you aftercare instructions for keeping yourself as comfortable as possible during this time. All in all, though, any pain you do experience will be quite manageable.
Myth 3: People Will Be Able to Tell you Have Dental Implants
It’s natural to worry that prosthetic teeth will look fake, but that isn’t a problem with dental implants. The restoration supported by the implants will be designed to match the size, shape, and color of your natural teeth seamlessly, and the implants themselves will not be visible. The only way most people will find out you have dental implants is if you tell them yourself.
Myth 4: You Won’t Be Able to Eat Your Favorite Foods with Dental Implants
While it’s true that your diet will be limited for a few days after implant surgery, that’s only because your mouth needs time to heal. Once recovery is complete, you will be free to eat virtually anything you want. In fact, as far as diet is concerned, dental implants offer far more freedom than traditional dentures due to their additional stability.
Is there anything else you’ve heard about dental implants that you’d like to verify before moving forward with surgery? Your dentist can answer your questions during a consultation and clear up any other myths you might have heard before treatment.
About the Author
Dr. Benny Tong loves nothing more than building long-term relationships with his patients and eliminating any fears they might have about their treatment. He attended in the NYC residency program at NYU-Winthrop University in order to focus on a number of dental specialties, including implantology. If you have been thinking about getting dental implants, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Tong at Dr. Glen’s Happy Teeth in Long Beach by visiting our website or calling (516) 517-0331.